Local club receives international award

Published 2:33 am, Friday, December 18, 2015

Members of Plainview's Rotary Club were honored with the RI Significant Achievement Award this week for their program rewarding PISD students with perfect attendance. Pictured above are Rotary members David Kopp, Steve Long, Ted Baker, Diana Anderson, J.B. Roberts, PISD Superintendent Dr. Rocky Kirk, Stan Demerritt, Dr. Michael Graves, and past Rotary District Governor Jim Cole. less

Members of Plainview's Rotary Club were honored with the RI Significant Achievement Award this week for their program rewarding PISD students with perfect attendance. Pictured above are Rotary members David ... more

Photo: Homer Marquez/Plainview Herald

Local club receives international award

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Plainview's chapter of the Rotarians earned some international recognition this week when they received the RI Significant Achievement Award for their work in encouraging perfect attendance in school.

On Tuesday, Rotary International presented Plainview's club with the award which recognizes outstanding club projects that address the most pressing needs of their local communities.

About five years ago, the local Rotary Club began an initiative to reward Plainview ISD students with bicycles or Ipods for perfect attendance. The awards are given three times a year to students in the sixth grade and up.

"It has been very impactful to the district," said Rotary Club President Ted Baker. "And when we make these presentations, you can see the enthusiasm it creates in the kids."

With the attendance, schools are able to bring in more financial support from the state, as each day a student is in attendance the district gets funding.

But for PISD Superintendent Dr. Rocky Kirk, the program means something special to the students and creates a trend of positivity at the campuses.

"And it's not just the gift, it's the recognition that comes with it. To have something positive instead of something punitive, rewarding kids for doing something right. That's something I like about it," Kirk said.

Rotary International President Gary C.K. Huang officially wrote a letter to the club congratulating them on their service.

"Your club made a meaningful impact in the life of your community and your project represents the very best work in your district and the Rotary world. On behalf of Rotary International and Rotarians worldwide, I commend your efforts to light up Rotary," the letter stated.